US3777583A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clutch
Assignee: Bombardier Inc
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Filing: 1972-03-31
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1992-03-31
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to power transmission mechanisms for vehicles, and is particularly directed to an improved centrifugal clutch designed for use in tracked vehicles, such as snowmobiles. According to the invention a clutch is provided having a drive shaft, a first flange mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith, a second flange displaceable on the shaft, the first and second flanges having opposed tapering surfaces co-acting to form a V-belt groove, and spring means are provided for urging the flanges apart. The improvement comprises a flyweight support mounted on the shaft at an end remote from the first flange for rotation therewith. Flyweights are pivotally mounted to the support, for engagement with the first and second spaced apart bearing surface respectively on the second flange, the center of gravity of the flyweights being located such that at a predetermined r.p.m. of the shaft, the flyweights will co-act with the first bearing surface to cause the axial displacement of the second flange, and the initial engagement of the clutch. Upon subsequent increase of shaft r.p.m., the flyweights co-act with the second bearing surface, causing a second, substantially lesser and controllable increase in axial displacement of the second flange. The purpose of the invention is to enable the vehicle to give initial power delivery to the gear train at the optimum torque or horsepower as may be desired.
Inventors
- 👤 J Talbot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:18
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H55/00; F16H55/32; F16H55/52; F16H55/56; F16H55/563
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
339 words
A centrifugal-clutch comprising: a drive shaft; a first flange mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith; a second flange mounted to be axially displaceable on said shaft; said first and second flanges having confronting conical surfaces which cooperate to form a V-belt groove; spring means associated with said shaft and operative to urge said flanges apart; a flyweight support mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith at an end remote from said first flange; a plurality of flyweights pivotally carried on said support at equal angular intervals about the axis of the shaft, each flyweight being pivotally movable to and from a retracted position wherein the centre of gravity of the flyweight lies close to the radial line extending at right angles to the shaft axis and the flyweight pivot axis; spaced first and second bearing surfaces carried by said second flange and registering with each said flyweight, said bearing surfaces being pressed by the action of said spring means such that said first bearing surfaces engage with the respective flyweights to urge the latter to the retracted position; each said flyweight having a cam surface for engaging said bearing surfaces, such that up to a predetermined speed of revolution of said clutch the force of said spring means is sufficient to hold said flyweights in the retracted position, whereas above said predetermined speed the centrifugal force developed in said flyweights applies an axial force to said first bearing surfaces to displace said second flange axially towards said first flange, said flyweights pivoting during said displacement whereby the centre of gravity of each flyweight moves axially progressively further from said radial line thereby to compound said axial force, said pivotal movement resulting in engagement of the cam surface of each flyweight with the respective second bearing surface which is spaced relatively further from the pivotal axis of the flyweight than said first bearing surface, whereby further increase in the speed of rotation produces an increase in the axial force applied to the second flange at a relatively lower rate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
339 words
A centrifugal-clutch comprising: a drive shaft; a first flange mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith; a second flange mounted to be axially displaceable on said shaft; said first and second flanges having confronting conical surfaces which cooperate to form a V-belt groove; spring means associated with said shaft and operative to urge said flanges apart; a flyweight support mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith at an end remote from said first flange; a plurality of flyweights pivotally carried on said support at equal angular intervals about the axis of the shaft, each flyweight being pivotally movable to and from a retracted position wherein the centre of gravity of the flyweight lies close to the radial line extending at right angles to the shaft axis and the flyweight pivot axis; spaced first and second bearing surfaces carried by said second flange and registering with each said flyweight, said bearing surfaces being pressed by the action of said spring means such that said first bearing surfaces engage with the respective flyweights to urge the latter to the retracted position; each said flyweight having a cam surface for engaging said bearing surfaces, such that up to a predetermined speed of revolution of said clutch the force of said spring means is sufficient to hold said flyweights in the retracted position, whereas above said predetermined speed the centrifugal force developed in said flyweights applies an axial force to said first bearing surfaces to displace said second flange axially towards said first flange, said flyweights pivoting during said displacement whereby the centre of gravity of each flyweight moves axially progressively further from said radial line thereby to compound said axial force, said pivotal movement resulting in engagement of the cam surface of each flyweight with the respective second bearing surface which is spaced relatively further from the pivotal axis of the flyweight than said first bearing surface, whereby further increase in the speed of rotation produces an increase in the axial force applied to the second flange at a relatively lower rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A centrifugal clutch as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second bearing surfaces are radially spaced on support means carried on said second flange, said support means being located adjacent the conical surface of the second flange intermediate the inner and outer diameters thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A centrifugal clutch as claimed in claim 2 wherein said flyweight support comprises a member keyed to said shaft, and having pairs of radially extending arms, said flyweights being pivotally mounted between respective pairs of said arms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A centrifugal clutch as claimed in claim 3 wherein radial guide means are provided on said second flange for engagement with the ends of said arms, to guide said second flange during axial displacement thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A centrifugal clutch as claimed in claim 5, wherein said flyweights are removably mounted within said pairs of arms on pins provided with wear resistant caps which co-act with said guide means and maintain said pins in position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A centrifugal clutch as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second bearing surfaces comprise rollers mounted on said second flange on axes parallel to the pivotal axis of the corresponding flyweight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A centrifugal clutch as claimed in claim 1 in combination with at least two sets of flyweights, the flyweights of each set having cam surfaces of different profile said sets being selectively incorporated in said clutch to selectively vary the characteristics thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |